Civil Society, Content Creators Say Kyari Executed National Policies Not Personal Ambition

Amid mounting scrutiny over a $2 billion crude-for-loan agreement, two key advocacy groups have defended former NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari, saying he was carrying out national economic policies—not pursuing personal interest.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) jointly faulted recent media reports alleging misconduct, insisting that Kyari’s actions were in line with government directives aimed at stabilizing the economy.

“Mele Kyari was simply implementing policies approved at the highest levels of government,” a COCSON representative said. “This wasn’t about personal ambition—it was about national economic survival.”

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The controversial crude-for-loan deal, according to the groups, began before the current administration and was approved by multiple federal agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office, and the Attorney General’s office.

“Every step of that deal followed due process,” BAVCCA said in a statement. “There is no missing crude, no mismanaged funds—just a well-structured financial strategy meant to support Nigeria’s foreign reserves and economic growth.”

The groups also dismissed protests and media campaigns against Kyari as politically motivated. “We believe these attacks are being orchestrated by interests that feel threatened by the reforms Kyari spearheaded,” said the spokesperson.

They credited Kyari for transforming the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) into a transparent, commercially-driven enterprise. “For the first time, under Kyari, NNPCL published its audited financial statements. That’s a historic level of transparency,” BAVCCA noted.

The groups urged President Bola Tinubu to remain focused on long-term reforms and avoid political distractions. “Kyari was acting in the interest of the country,” they concluded. “He deserves a fair and fact-based evaluation, not character assassination.”